Weapon Systems Development Lead Level 6

About the Role

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is looking for a Weapon Systems Development Lead Level 6 that will spearhead the definition, development, and delivery of cross-functional capabilities that enable the Advanced Weapons Business Unit (AWBU) to design, prototype, and field next generation defense systems in Northridge, CA.

This position is required to be full-time, on-site in the Northridge, CA location. No remote/telework arrangement is available for this position.

The Weapon Systems Development Lead 6 will lead cross-functional engineering teams across the full weapon system development lifecycle, using the Integrated Functional Capability (IFC) plan to align software, systems engineering, integration, and test activities with performance, schedule, and mission requirements. This position requires strong technical depth, systems thinking, and the ability to coordinate effectively with program leadership, customers, and partner engineering disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: develop and maintain the overarching strategic IFC Plan for each product line; translate the strategic vision into detailed IFC plans, schedules, and resource allocations
• Program Coordination: align the work of hardware and software IPTs with the IFC schedule and milestones; synchronize development baselines across contracts to avoid conflicts and gaps
• Execution & Integration: oversee the evolution of the IFC plan through architecture, hardware, and software design phases; manage functional activities such as testing, quality assurance, logistics support, and readiness for ground- and flight-test phases
• Certification & Release: lead the IFC effort to certification, confirming that the integrated product set satisfies functional and performance requirements; compile and deliver the IFC system certificate package for ground test, flight test, developmental/operational test, and evaluation
• Systems Engineering Leadership: expand technical breadth across a diverse portfolio of mission threads; drive the transition from traditional systems engineering rigor to lean-agile, model-based processes
• Control Account & Risk Management: own Control Account Management responsibilities, tracking budget, schedule, and performance metrics; identify, assess, and mitigate risks throughout the development lifecycle

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Defense Technology or a related field, with 14 years of defense or aerospace product development; or a Master's with 12+ years, or Ph.D with 10+ years
• 5+ years of experience leading large, multidisciplinary, cross-functional teams of 20+ personnel in a matrix organization

Clearance Requirements

• Current US Government Secret security clearance required
• Travel: approximately 10% of the time
• Relocation assistance may be available